Something, Brown, Blue and Thrifty, Too!

Hosted by Susan, Sally & Rhoda
For today's triple post (yes, I said triple, I'm being brave today...), I decided to share with you a great way to concoct a mouthwatering ROOTBEER FLOAT! I know what you're all thinking, "Anyone can make a rootbeer float, what kind of a cop-out Met Monday post is this?" I assure you the following will make a believer out of you. (And if not, it's still a yummy float!) LOL

Ok... First, you have to gather your arsenal- A bottle of good Rootbeer (I love A&W). Those glass bottled ones are great also. Then, you can't have a successful float without a great rich vanilla ice cream! Go for either Dreyer's, Blue Bell or Breyers' French Vanilla. Better yet, Haagen-Dasz! Wow! Now, don't forget the value of a great scoop!

No picture of this critical segment as I was also the float maker- Scoop out two to three rounded scoops into each glass. Slowly pour in your rootbeer to slow down the foaming action and so you can actually have some rootbeer in the glass. :-P

Pouring in on the sides is one great way or letting the rootbeer bottle settle down for 30 seconds before pouring works, too... (Bet you didn't know patience would come in so handy, huh?)

You can't have a float without a great glass to put it in! (Rhoda, this is where the thrifty comes in) I found these mini beer pilsners from Fry's last September (at the wine and beer section) at a low, low price of 25 cents each!!! That's 87.5% off the original price of $2 each. Since our children is famous for "traveling" with their desserts, this was a great compromise! They're made by Libbey.

Then, there's the napkin stash, straws and spoons. And of course, whipped cream to top it all off! If you don't have a cherry available, try any berry, the tang is a welcome taste before all that cold sweetness!

A tray comes in handy, too, in holding all of your float needs, plus when pouring, it catches spills! How cool is that? When done, this is what you get! A perfect marriage of rootbeer and vanilla ice cream headed off with a delectable creamy goodness to welcome in Summer time! Yes!
Susan, thanks for letting me play in today's Met Monday using Rootbeer and Ice Cream. I had fun!

Sally, you're probably thinking, "Is that blue straw your Blue Monday entry, you could have done better!" And I would agree that's why I present to you, my new blue and white ceramic Chinese dinner platter!

This is my very first set of authentic Chinese ceramic. I bought it at our local Asian store. It was made in China and the manufacturer is a Chinese company under the logo, K&K. It's restaurant grade so it's pretty dense. I purchased six and at $4 each, it's a steal! I don't normally find dinner platters in Asian dinnerware anymore, but what makes this more of a treasure for me is that the last Chinese restaurant I ate at in the Philippines before I came here to the USA used these same sized platter to bring our steamed buns and siomais, two staples for any Dim Sum fare!

The design on it is a carp, or koi, and as the symbols state, it is a symbol of LUCK in the Chinese culture and in Feng Shui so it is a double treat for me. I can't wait to use it on a tablescape soon enough! With some Dim Sum goodies perhaps? Christine, Lorna, Li, what do you think of that idea?

Here's a closer look...

How do you like it? A big thanks to our three lovely hosts and to all of you who stopped by. I love all of your comments and wish that I can find time again soon to visit all the participants in each meme. One time I did, but it took about 3 hours of the day and the laundry didn't get done. Oooppps...

Before I forget, I just want to tell all of you how much I appreciate your great comments and your warm friendships through our blogs. I'm normally a shy person so this blog has been a true release for me and you all have just been so wonderful! Thanks so very much!

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain is so excited to use them) What is your heritage? Most of us know to cook our cultural foods and others that we find delicious and quick, but what about our tables? Let's focus on what makes us special. Without using flags or pictures, create a table that reflects who you are. Not your personality, but rather your culture. A red, white and blue table is great for USA natives while Americana shades or burgundy cream and midnight blue brings in the country side of Americans. No matter how you do it, finish off the table with a great parallel menu and stories that remind you of who you are...

#100: The Story Behind the Pattern

YAY!!! I can't believe that this is my 100th post! I wish I have a giveaway to do but I did one to kick off this blog back in February, before I found all of you through Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. But I still can't believe it! Woohoo!

Hosted by Susan and Sally
My Met Monday post is just minor. I gardened with my children over the weekend as a break from all that writing. Remember my white petunias by my front door? Well the pot they're planted in actually has a twin, so...



I cleaned it out and filled it with new dirt (Miracle Gro) and planted the pink Asiatic Lily in there and surrounded it with my fave very purple petunias! You can tell it's a new transplant as the gaps in the dirt are still visible. I also planted seeds of Moss Rose in there to make it really full. I changed up the pattern of the pots! Plus with summer coming, I'm again ready with my red, white and blue color scheme! (ok, purple but it's more blue violet so it passes) :P

Now, this is what my front window looks like. That wagon carried three children to the grocery stores, the park and sometimes just around the neighborhood in both CA and AZ. Now, it's serving as our planter box. I do want to put it out of its misery soon, but I haven't sketched out what I want the front window to look like, plus another move is imminent in the next year, so I'd probably leave it like that and just swap out the plants. That's why I mostly have annuals, that way I don't feel bad if they die down...

Now on to some other pattern...

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Courtesy of The Dinnerware Depot

It tells of Knoon-shee, a lovely Chinese maiden, whose affections were bestowed upon her father's secretary, Chang, but who was commanded by her parents to wed a wealthy rival suitor.
She refused to comply with their wishes, whereupon her enraged father locked her up in the little house just visible on the left of the temple. From here she contrived to send a message to her lover, 'Gather thy blossom, ere it be stolen.' Thus encouraged, Chang succeeded in entering the apple orchard and carrying off his beloved. So we see them hurrying over the bridge. Knoon-shee with a distaff, and Chang carrying her box of jewels, while the angry father follows hard after them armed with a whip - in some patterns also accompanied by the discarded lover.
The couple made good their escape in the 'Chinese ship sailing by' and landed on the island, which can be seen on the left of the picture, where they took refuge in the little wooden house. But the father and discarded suitor tracked them and set fire to the house while they were sleeping; and so the lovers perished.
Next morning, from the ashes rose their spirits, in the forms of two doves. And so we see them with out-stretched wings flying off to the realms of eternal happiness.
No one knows the origin of this story. It was told in China more than a thousand years ago and brought over to our country from Eastern lands by the Crusaders.

Compliment of The Potteries

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" loves this pattern!) To those that share millions of people's love for this pattern, the possibilities are endless! Formal or casual Blue Willow presents well in any table. Try this: use yellow chargers and yellow orchids on a blue and white pot. Honor its legend by having a formal Chinese menu: soup, a meat dish, rice, veggies and tea for afterwards. Have mooncakes and orange slices. Use lantern or chinese lamps to illuminate the table. Even get two doves. Invite your children, family or guests to join you and regale them with the legend. You become famous for having a great spread and owning a pattern worth of their admiration.

Just A Hint of "Cool" Blue...

Hosted by "Between Naps on the Porch"

Just like everywhere else, signs of life are sprouting... In my own front yard, it's more dramatic! in just a few weeks, most of the trees looked like this- bare and quiet.

But, after a few rainstorms, warm days and even the howling winds that kept the cold from hanging on, our trees now look like these! And the past few days, I have opened my windows to hear the song of every leaf swaying in the wind... Aaahhh... I feel alive when breeze enters my home and refresh the air inside while quietly taking out the musty air of storms' imprisonment.

Thank you Susan!

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I checked in at Sally's for today's Blue Monday and along with her Spiritual Sunday post, was this "cool" award she got from a fan of her blog! I'm always amazed at how fun you all have in the sharing and playing that you do. It is quite humbling...

So, just like Sally, I share with all of you this award as my confession of being one of your blog's biggest fans!

Now, onto something blue...

Hosted by "Smiling Sally"

After our 10-day spending hiatus last week, I wanted to go to Goodwill to see if I can still find the very cool small cobalt teapot and plate that coordinated with one of my cobalt dishes. Of course, when I went back, I didn't find it anymore. They were that cool! (LOL) But from that last visit, I did see this teacup and dessert bowl. And I was glad that when I came back, they were still there! Actually, I found the teacup in another aisle, put it in my cart, then another lady held the bowl when I went to the original aisle I saw it at. She saw me with the teacup, asked me if I really want it and suggested I grab the bowl too! How nice is she! Love her!

I now call it a "bon-bon" bowl. ;-)

I love dainty teacups and saucers that fine china comes up with, but never got started on it until I saw this pretty pair.

It is by Sheffield called "Blue Whisper" and made in Japan.

I just love the platinum rim and the dainty light blue and gray design, don't you?

Isn't it just beautiful? The best part about this awesome find?

I got each piece for 59 cents each!

I served my first tea on it for Lady Katherine's Tea Party birthday celebration yesterday.

I hope to find more of this pattern.

I also found six of these saucer plates, for also 59 cents each at Goodwill.

In my home, they will be called dessert plates.

As you can see, it is a Mikasa.

There are other Intaglio Series including Triba, Durango, and Garden.

This pattern is called Annette.

Just like my awesome next door neighbor!

Looking it up online, I found that the cheapest per good piece is $2; more for better condition.

I love that! Score!

This stoneware creamer set is made in Japan, but the manufacturer writing is in chinese. I'll have to share the rest of the story during Thrifty Thursday!

I'm glad I got to share it with all of you!

Thanks, Sally for hosting!

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" is just so thrilled to have these ideas!) Throw out all the rules of table setting and just have fun with it! Set the table however you want with the pieces you want to use! As long as it's usable, find a way to incorporate it and enjoy your wild and funky tablescape!

Have a great Monday! I get to pick up my Noritake "Carolyn" china today! I will feature them two times in two different Tablescape Thursdays! I'm so excited!

Now let's see what else everyone is showing today!

Could It Be?

Hosted by "Between Naps on the Porch" and "Smiling Sally"
Thank you Susan and Sally for hosting another week of these great memes! This is my first ever Blue Monday!

Am I really becoming a fan of BLUE dishes?! To be honest, I am not fond much of the color blue in general, but lately, I have been seeing blue everywhere! Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of "Blue Plate Special" where one member of the family gets to have a blue plate for anything special that they are celebrating. Who, you ask, introduced me to this most wonderful thing? My lovely MIL of course!

So, I started with this set, a Robin Egg's blue Fiesta dinnerware wannabe and a Cobalt Blue nobody that she picked up somewhere while putting together some Christmas gift ideas for her two children, Kate and my dh Charlie. The Cobalt came with a salad/dessert plate and matching glass. I would have loved it, but there's only one setting! I asked her where she got it, but she couldn't remember and now, I want more!!!


Then, to share the love of "Blue Plate Special", I came across the Wedgwood English Terrace Water Series for $3 each at Ross back in 2000, and proceeded to grab them all for my friends during a Christmas reunion prior to our move to Gilbert, Arizona. Now, I'm in love with the set, but again, I only have one place setting! What cruel fate! I can't even afford one additional piece!


Then after Christmas last year, I wanted to do a New Year's tablescape but didn't want to spend a lot of money, so we went to Kroger's to see what we can find. Lo and behold, I found these bowls that just called to me from the moment I came in. But there were no plates to go with the tablecloth and goblets, so I was doomed once again to just enjoy this serving bowls all by themselves...


Then, most of you have posted about all of your great Goodwill finds and so I found myself inside one. And though I almost lost hope of finding any great dishes, I decided to look one more time and look at what surfaced! Isn't she beautiful? Her simplicity is just adorable and at 99 cents, I convinced my disapproving hubby. What do you think of her?


Now, just when I thought I've been cured of my "blue tease" disease, I find this exquisite set at Pier 1, just last month. And the red butterfly made it all worthwhile. And look, a whole set for 8, complete with napkin rings! Yay, me!!! I've definitely morphed into someone who can appreciate blue dishes. This was LOVE at first sight, but now the dilemma is... what do I do for a centerpiece?


Am I this weak over dishes that I couldn't even resist the color I least use? The color that rarely surface on my table and only for one? You bet I am! I'm part Chinese on both sides of my family, so yes the chinoiserie legend lives in me and I would scour the earth for some great pieces from now on! (Alright, when I can finally afford it... Whenever that would be!)

TABLESCAPING IDEA: (Man, oh man, "Brain" is unstoppable with all these great tips!) Do an ALL BLUE table. Use different shades, but all blue including the centerpiece and make meme cards about everything blue with your guests and see just how "blue" your night can become!

Happy Met and Blue Monday to all! Make sure to visit all of the participants today!